Lutui starts for Tonga in RWC opener

Tonga coach Isitolo Maka has today (Wednesday) named his team to face New Zealand in the first game of the World Cup at Eden Park on Friday (kick-off 9.30GMT) - and Worcester Warriors hooker Aleki Lutui will start the match in the front row.

Maka's side face hosts and tournament favourites New Zealand with Lutui, who made his Tonga debut back in 1999, named in the line-up.

Captain Finau Maka is adamant his side will throw everything they have at the All Blacks and said: "We won't hold back on the physical approach, definitely.

"I think our three Pacific island teams like to play physical games so we're just going to take it to the All Blacks on Friday and see if they can stop us."